Articles in the Editorial Category

What is the role of art in the school curriculum today? Most of us believe in the value that art adds to a child’s education, but how does one make a case to show that the arts are not dispensable? True, what Art brings to a child’s development is beyond school academics; but perhaps to allow the arts to flourish within a school curriculum, we have to find justifications of its importance within the curriculum.

The safety and well-being of staff and students is a primary concern of most schools today. In order to meet this challenge, decisions are taken and systems adopted without any consultation with the key stakeholders. Introducing surveillance cameras in schools to monitor student and teacher activity may have its advantages, but several questions need to be asked and answered before any decision is arrived at. Clearly, school administrators must realise that consultation with all teachers , parents and students before any change is implemented will find greater acceptance than simply forcing everyone to accept and adapt.

Disagreement with the popular viewpoint is not accepted and is usually frowned upon. However, it is important that we create space for all kinds of viewpoints to co-exist in society. Having said that disagreeing doesn’t mean shouting down the other person. How we voice our disagreement is equally important. And classrooms are the best places to help encourage healthy discussions.

Stories shape us, they help us improve our ability to understand people, their experiences and their solutions to problems. This Special issue for teachers carries a bouquet of stories that celebrate the life and work of a teacher. The stories are sure to leave you readers entertained and surprised. Happy reading.

Even a couple of years ago when you thought about a teacher, you always associated him/her with the classroom. But with the education space changing constantly, teachers these days are finding that their skills and experience can be put to use for related opportunities outside the classroom. And while these opportunities are exciting and liberating, teachers should continue to value and take from their classroom experiences.

The process of rolling out the new education policy is on, but the key influencer in the core process of learning — the teacher — does not seem to be consulted in any substantive way. It is time teachers begin to see themselves not just as implementers of the curriculum, but as having a creative and central role in education.

This May-June, Teacher Plus explores the subject that pervades every aspect of our lives–economics. While we haven’t been able to do justice to the subject by any means in our 120 pages, the Teacher Plus economics issue hopes that it will bring its readers a good assortment of articles that add value and knowledge to their idea of economics. Apart from this, the May-June issue is of special significance as we reach the 100 monthly issues.

With the summer holidays looming ahead, it is time teachers took that long awaited break to do the things they want to do but could not. Some of them can bring out their books to read, others can spend time watching their favourite movies. A relaxed atmosphere will help trigger fresh ideas that teachers can take back to their classrooms once the vacation is over.

What is education? A question like this will have several answers, most of them focusing on the theoretical definition of the word. But in looking at education purely in terms of theory are we losing sight of what education means in practice?

When ‘teachers’ are the focus of attention in a mainstream Hindi film, it is time to celebrate even though some of the characters in the film are stereotypes. ‘Chalk and Duster’ is a simple film with a simple story but makes teachers feel good about being in the profession.